Hello all, I'm a bit baffled so hopefully someone can point me to the right direction. I have a brand new Henry Big Boy X in 44 Mag that I bought from a store. I took it to the range to sight in, first just with iron sights and another time with a scope. The problem is that it doesn't want to group at all with either, and I'm talking about a 40yds indoor range distance. A 4 shot series has about 11 inches of vertical stringing at that distance. Horizontally it's not that bad, spread is within 2-3 inches maybe. I tried 3 different factory ammo types, it doesn't change this pattern much if at all. There're no visual defects that I can see, barrel looks normal, crown is not damaged, works great mechanically, I tightened all screws. Damn thing just doesn't want to shoot. Any ideas or maybe someone experienced something like that?
Henry Big Boy X doesn't group - Need Advice
- Thread starter firebat
- Start date
First, are you shooting from a rest, sandbags, or off the shoulder? If a rest, are you shooting free-recoil or is it clamped in? Sorry to ask, but vertical-only stringing is usually cased by technique.
Second question would be, how well did you clean it (the chamber and the bore) before you shot it? What does the ejected brass look like - is it sooty? I doubt this is it, but grease in the chamber could cause pressure/seal inconsistencies (which will cause vertical stringing).
Third question: What bullet weight are you shooting? If you're shooting 240s, maybe try heavier or lighter? Just watch - the really heavy stuff may not feed well in a lever gun. I had a Chiappa in 44mag that just would not shoot 240gr jacketed factory ammo. Cast lead was better, but for best accuracy I had to use lighter bullets.
If all else fails, send it back.
Second question would be, how well did you clean it (the chamber and the bore) before you shot it? What does the ejected brass look like - is it sooty? I doubt this is it, but grease in the chamber could cause pressure/seal inconsistencies (which will cause vertical stringing).
Third question: What bullet weight are you shooting? If you're shooting 240s, maybe try heavier or lighter? Just watch - the really heavy stuff may not feed well in a lever gun. I had a Chiappa in 44mag that just would not shoot 240gr jacketed factory ammo. Cast lead was better, but for best accuracy I had to use lighter bullets.
If all else fails, send it back.
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How did you do initial sighting prior to shooting. Levers are impossible to sight initially without pulling the lever/bolt or using a laser...go to a shop and get them to laser sight it for you and then go do the fine-tuning, I bet it is ok then..if not you got a lemon and try to return it
